What’s happening where you live...

Church at 10:30am on Sunday January 8. NHS walk: There is a new time start for the NHS walks this year. The first walk of 2017 is Wednesday January 11 at 9:30am for a 9:45am start outside the village hall. Parish meeting: On Wednesday January 11, there is a full parish council meeting starting at 8pm at the village hall (Longmeadow) which is preceded by the planning meeting from 7pm. Correspondent: Liz Willy , 108 Eyhorne Street, Hollingbourne, ME17 1UA Mob: 07928668924 elizabethwilly@ btinternet.com Plant heritage meeting: On Sunday, January 8 from 2-4pm in the village hall. Village Shop: The parish council has been advised by the landlord of the Christopher’s Village Shop that he would like somebody from Hollingbourne take over the Eyhorne Street shop. Christopher Rudgard has expressed an interest in retiring in March 2017. Paul Teague contacted the council to indicate that he was willing to consider any proposal from local interests including a ‘collective’ in order to keep the shop going. Fete meeting: The Summer Fete and Exemption Dog Show will be held on Saturday, June 10 on the Lance Memorial Playing Field. All are welcome to attend a meeting on Tuesday, January 10 from 8-9pm at the The Dirty Habit pub in Upper Street. PARISH COUNCIL: A vehicle still remained parked on the Junction 8 roundabout, which was dangerously placed and could cause a distraction to road-users. Maidstone BC will be informed that the vehicle was still there. Cllr A Ward would arrange dates in January with the clerk for the play equipment suppliers to inspect the playground. Chairman’s report: Cllr M Bedwell had been informed by various residents in Culpeper Close that the road name sign was in disrepair with a request that it be repaired or replaced. The clerk would investigate. The Bearsted railway station promotes itself as the station for Leeds Castle although Hollingbourne station is the nearest and the public houses within the village would like to promote this fact. Cllr Cobbett advised that the Bearsted station had been using the name because it had more stopping trains and taxi services. The Cardwell Pavilion needed a carbon monoxide sensor in the kitchen. The clerk would obtain one. There had been a break in of the sheds and the container behind the pavilion but fortunately nothing was stolen, however the locks needed to be replaced. The clerk would liaise with the security company to find out exactly how to work the video recording equipment. Mrs A Bennett resigned verbally at the previous month’s parish meeting since when a formal letter had been received by the clerk and this was read out at the meeting by Cllr M Bedwell. Crime: PCSO Ryan Waring / PCSO Dave Rowley. The crime figures November 14 to December 8 included three reports. On November 16, about 3.20pm, golf equipment stolen from a vehicle parked in the car park on the Junction 8, M20 motorway services; November –19,Eyhorne Street, theft; November 25, Eyhorne Street, theft. There was a case of fly-tipping on November 29 at Hospital Road. The Clerk had received a request from Mr D Davison for a donation of £25 from the parish council towards a gift of vouchers for the lady who works at the aggregates company who are supplying stone free of charge for the war memorial. The parish council agreed to this request. The clerk attended a Heritage Crime Prevention meeting and can confirm that the operation launches in February. The community risk assessments in Hollingbourne would start in the summer. Borough Cllr Patrik Garten: With regards to the matter of the parking on the junction of Culpeper Close and Eyhorne Street, particularly during school pick up and collection times, the police do have powers to deal with an obstructing vehicle, but the action must be enforced by a Police Constable. According to www. crashmap.co.uk Hollingbourne has a surprisingly low record for reported accidents. Traffic enforcement would need to be contacted to install yellow lines at the entrance of Culpeper Close and it would be advantageous to contact Cllr Whittle. The installation of a mini roundabout would be too expensive. The PCSOs can only advise the drivers of the vehicles parking inconsiderately on the junction concerned and their power to remove the vehicles was restricted. Concern was expressed about the wheel washing facilities on site following complaints from residents about mud in Musket Lane and Eyhorne Street coming from the development site. The clerk would find out from Susanne LaPorte, Highways KCC, to find out what procedures were in place to ensure that the situation was not repeated. Cllr Dr S Bauer reported that there had been a lot of complaints with regards to fly-tipping in the village, and a lot of the refuse had been deposited on private land. Cllr Garten highlighted that when the public register an incident of fly-tipping on the Maidstone BC website, they must register every area of fly-tipping separately, rather ‘50 metres down the road’ for a report to be generated. The public’s assistance in this matter will mean that fly-tipping can be collected Correspondent: Helen Ward Tel: 01622 820810 herald@hunton.org.uk Church service: A service of Holy Communion will be held at St Mary’s Church on Sunday, January 8 at 9.30am and will be taken by the Rev Eileen Doyle. Iberian Colours: The first music event at the village hall in 2017 is on Saturday, January 21, when Applause Rural Touring will be helping to present the Maria Camahort quintet, touring as Iberian Colours. This will be a chance to see and hear five Spanish musicians playing their traditional culture and song; flamenco percussion, cello, Spanish guitar, violin and soprano vocalisation. Doors 7.30pm with music 8pm. Tickets £10 or £5 for students (ploughman’s included) from Mike on 01622 820429. For details see www.mariacamahort.com Correspondent: Martin Hider Tel: 01622 736327 mhider5@ gmail.com Christingle: A Christingle Service in aid of The Children’s Society will be held at St Mary’s Church on Sunday January 8 at 10.30am. Remember to take along any Children’s Society money collection candles to add to the donation. Services On Thursdays: Holy Communion Services will be held in St Mary’s Church at 9.30am on Thursdays during January. Church meeting: The Church Energize Community Choir: During the lead up to Christmas the choir raised £1,200 for various charities. New members are welcome and meetings started on January 4 at 7.30pm. No previous experience necessary and non-music readers welcome. For information of future dates ring 01622 690286. Museum story time: Every Friday from 10.30am-11.30am in the Bentlif Gallery at Maidstone Museum offering a fun morning of storytelling and craft activities. Perfect for children aged under five, you can reserve your place, or simply turn up on the day and pay at reception. Price is £2.50 per child. Sign language course: Level 1 British Sign Language courses will be run at Hi Kent, Brewer Street on Thursdays evenings from January 12 or Tuesday mornings from February 21. Cost: £410 including all assessment fees (payment by instalments available). Course coordinator Naomi Lemar said: “Knowing British Sign Language is an extra skill that makes a great addition to your CV. Many employers look for, so it could help you find a job. Students will be taught in a friendly group by a qualified BSL tutor with a great track record.” BSL taster course: Learn a new skill with Hi Kent – these classes will be an introduction to British Sign Language, with the emphasis on developing simple conversational